Reviews

Dancing at the Shame Prom: Sharing the Stories That Kept Us Small by Robyn Hatcher, Amy Ferris, Teresa Stack, Laurenne Sala, Julie K. Silver, Kristine Van Raden, Colleen Haggerty, Liza Lentini, Lyena Strelkoff, Hollye Dexter, Amy Friedman, Elizabeth Geitz, Monica Holloway, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Nina Burleigh, Brooke Elise Axtell, Marcia Yerman, Laura Davis, Meredith Resnick, Tracy J. Thomas, Kate van Raden, Jenny Rough, Victoria Zackheim, Marianne Schnall, Samantha Dunn, Kedren Werner, Amy Wise, Sharon Doubiago

stephsz's review

3.0

This was a First Read win that I was very excited when I was notified that I was picked. The message is a strong one - everyone has shame, and these stories of the various types of shame and how the writer overcame them covered the gambit from shame of one's body, shame of abuse, eating disorders, family issues, or just growing up. A nice added touch was the section about "what the author wants you to take away from this story."

There were a few very powerful stories that stuck in my mind, and then others that I wasn't especially bowled over by. Not to diminish the shame behind the stories, just a personal preference. Also, there was not really a tie-in to the title, which seems like a small point, but it seems like at least one of the stories should have had something to do with a prom.

I would recommend this book to someone struggling with their own personal shame as a tool to help them see that they can get through it. However, it would probably be one of a few, as I don't feel like this is the ultimate in that genre.